Talk of the town

[Alan]

Hi,

In a response today Amy referred to President Bush as being the talk of the town. That set me thinking how many other expressions there are meaning roughly the same. For example: in the limelight - in the news - in the spotlight ... Any other suggestions?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Tamara]

on everybody's lips
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Pamela]

In the focus of attention. :D

[Tamara]

to become the order of the day :)
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

.
grist for the gossip mill
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

Hi Amy,

I know the saying is grist for my mill but sometimes you also can find the expression grist through the mill. What is the difference?

Thanks in advance,
Torsten

TOEFL listening lectures: Why does the lecturer mention Charles Darwin?

[Eda:))]

... he is in the public eye...

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

I'd understand "That's grist for my mill" to mean "That's something I can use to help me succeed."

I'd probably use "grist through the mill" with a verb like "move" or "send" to mean "to get a lot of work (or data) processed/done".

He is very effective when it comes to moving the grist through the bureaucratic mill.

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

You're right. The toast of the town is quite positive.

If you're the talk of the town, that just means there's a lot of tongue-wagging going on about someone. The topic would probably be negative. 8)

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln